Schools Integration ProjectICT and the teaching of modern Foreign Languages. |
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Foreword |
Welcome to this
publication, which consists of a comprehensive set of resources that can be used by
teachers and students wishing to integrate Information and Communication Technologies in
their Modern Foreign Languages to teaching and learning in Irish primary schools. These
resources reflect the exceptional energy, enthusiasm and dedication of a group of talented
teachers engaged in implementing their Schools Integration Project-The use of ICT in
Teaching Modern Foreign Languages.
The Schools Integration Project (SIP) is a central feature of Schools
IT 2000 –a major national initiative designed to strengthen the ICT infrastructure in
Irish schools. The stated aim of SIP is ' to foster whole school development in relation
to information and communication technology (ICT) integration' through the establishment
of 'pilot projects' in a number of schools working 'in partnership with the education
centres, the community, industry, business, and third level institutions'. The Department
of Education and Science in association with the National Centre for Technology in
Education (NCTE) has invested over IR£3,000,000 in developing SIP throughout Ireland.
The success of this particular SIP is, in no small respect, due to the
partnerships it has established with Eircom, Havas Interactive and Mary Immaculate
College. Eircom are the primary corporate sponsor of Schools IT 2000 and have been
generous in their support of this project, similarly Mary Immaculate College have offered
invaluable guidance in developing the pedagogies and resources contained herein.
Having observed the implementation of this project at close range I am
convinced that it will make a very significant contribution to the integration of ICT into
the teaching and learning of modern languages and into primary education generally. I
would like to express my thanks to the Project Implementation Team, the participating
students and the different sponsors for their commitment and enthusiasm in developing and
delivering this most valuable resource.
Seamus Knox